Gypsy Bees Company
Herbal Beeswax Health Products, Beeswax Candles, and Raw Honey
Propolis Tinctures
We take natural propolis from our own beehives and dissolve it in 55%
food-grade ethanol. We warm the mixture gently to separate the propolis
components, and then gravity-filter the solution through fine-mesh
filter paper to remove any wood particles and insoluble beeswax. The
resulting tinctures are clean, highly-concentrated, and last for years
if kept in a cool, dark place. Tinctures can be used as topical
antiseptics or a few drops may be taken internally.
$12.00 / Each . One-ounce glass bottles (dropper included).
- $60.00 / Box of six, one ounce bottles, with six droppers included. (Buy five, get the sixth for free!)
What is Propolis?
Propolis is a sticky resinous substance made by honey bees from gums
and resins collected from the twigs, bark, and buds of varoius plants
during certain times of the year. The worker bees collect
the gums and carry them on their last pair of legs in the same way that
they carry pollen. Raw propolis in the hive is a mixture of these
gums, various salivary secretions, and of course, beeswax (itself a bee
secretion).
Bees use propolis to plug small holes in their hives, and also to
encase and mummify foreign items in their hive that are too big for
them to carry to the entrance. In general, propolis is reddish or
greenish, depending on the plants that the bees start out with.
At low temperatures, it is brittle and can be powdered. At warmer
temperatures, it becomes tar-like and sticky. Different varieties
of bees have different interests in collecting propolis--some gather so
much that normal beekeeping tasks become difficult. Yet a beehive
with lots of propolis is most often a healthy hive, so we tend to
encourage it among ours, and breed from queens whose daughters like to
bring it home.
Propolis is famous in antiquity for its medicinal properties. Historically, propolis has been used both medicinally as an antiseptic, and for various mechanical purposes such as stains and varnishes. Stradivarius violins are said to contain propolis in the varnish. It can be dried, dissolved in alcohols as tinctures, or eaten raw (be aware that all varieties of propolis taste awful!)
We are not qualified to dispense medical advice, but traditional users of propolis cite these benefits:
Bees use propolis to plug small holes in their hives, and also to
encase and mummify foreign items in their hive that are too big for
them to carry to the entrance. In general, propolis is reddish or
greenish, depending on the plants that the bees start out with.
At low temperatures, it is brittle and can be powdered. At warmer
temperatures, it becomes tar-like and sticky. Different varieties
of bees have different interests in collecting propolis--some gather so
much that normal beekeeping tasks become difficult. Yet a beehive
with lots of propolis is most often a healthy hive, so we tend to
encourage it among ours, and breed from queens whose daughters like to
bring it home.Propolis is famous in antiquity for its medicinal properties. Historically, propolis has been used both medicinally as an antiseptic, and for various mechanical purposes such as stains and varnishes. Stradivarius violins are said to contain propolis in the varnish. It can be dried, dissolved in alcohols as tinctures, or eaten raw (be aware that all varieties of propolis taste awful!)
We are not qualified to dispense medical advice, but traditional users of propolis cite these benefits:
- Wide-spectrum antiseptic properties.
- Some anesthetic qualities.
- Stimulating effect on tissue growth.
- Anti-inflammatory effects.